Sharm visa on arrival

[HJ]

We are going a live aboard from Sharm end of July and our tour agent is trying to sell us pre paid visa service which only means their rep will give us a visa when we get there rather than queuing at the visa desk. For this they want 20GBP which is over 30 USD. The visa cost is now 25 USD so its about 7 dollars extra. Sounds like a petty question but is it worthwhile prepaying?

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[Agility]

You pass the bank counter on your way to passport control.
I always got my visa there and changed some money right away. I always carry local money when abroad even if the only use might be tips.

 

[sphyrnidus]

No it is not worth prepaying. I have been to Egypt for quite a few times. Last time was last month. We flew to Marsa/ Port Ghalieb. But it is the same at every airport. In the arrival/transito hall you'll find a counter, often a bank or something. You get a visa for $15.- or €12.- Do not follow the always present people from travel agencies that shout: "follow me for a visa", it's a ripoff.
The travel agencies always try to get you for $10-15 extra.
I checked Consulate General of the Arab Republic of Egypt in UK - EgyptianConsulate.co.uk to see if the price has gone up and the price is not $25 but 15, so you'd pay $30.- extra!

Most people on the plane will follow the travel agency people. There are hardly any lines at the afore mentioned counters. It will take you less than 5 minutes and you have to wait for your luggage anyway as it is Egypt...

 

[diverLux]

Hi,

There has been a price increase for the Visa as of May 1 and it is now USD 25, I am traveling on Tuesday flying into Marsa Alam International and will advise on my return.
See the USD 10 surcharge sticker on the LH here Ägypten - so wie ich es kenne und liebe ! - Visum ja oder nein ?

 

[diverLux]

Hi,

Got back yesterday from Marsa Alam and can confirm Visa at the airport is now $ 25 .

 

[HJ]

Thank you very much for the info - we'll get the visa when we arrive.

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[gert7to3]

SO you are saying that obtaining a visa for Egypt ahead of time is not necessary? It's just purchased at the airport?

 

[diverLux]

Exactly, if you are U.S. passport holder you just buy it there in arrivals at the bank kiosk, it's a self adhesive sticker which you glue inside the passport , fill out the pink immigration card ( see link in my post °4 ) then proceed to immigration, after immigration collect your bags from the carousel and clear customs which is just a walk through unless you are a hippie type with long hair funny cloth and stuff ( remember Dennis Hopper in Easy Rider ? ) they might check your bag , step outside and the avdenture begins.

 

[milandro]

Buy at the airport but if you arrive with a tour operator beware of someone at the counter calling the name of this operator, they will issue the visa sticker and then ask for more money that you sgould have paid once you are in the bus to the hotel.

Visa is now 25$ but they will charge you 35$ despite the sticker mentioning the 25$ price.

Sharm is off limits to many nationalities at the moment if you follow the advice (or you are not covered by your travel insurance) given by many governments.

 

[HJ]

We just came back from a great week. When we got there the bank was closed so we had to get the visa from one of the tour operator kiosks. It was still cheaper than the pre pay option and the queue was ironically shorter. The tour operator charged 20 gbp.